Hands-on learning at TCCJA event

By Angelina Syribouth
Social Media Manager

Amarillo College Student Media staff members attended the Texas Community College Journalism Association (TCCJA) fall convention Nov. 6-8 at the University of Texas at Tyler, where they competed in live contests, attended workshops and networked with other student journalists from across the state.

The annual convention gave students the opportunity to test their skills and abilities in a professional environment, with competitions in reporting, photography, videography, editing and headline writing.

The convention also featured workshops led by journalism professionals and educators covering a range of topics such as critiquing photographs, clear communication for journalists and applying journalistic skills outside the newsroom.

Assignments editor Foster Connor said he learned about the professional expectations for journalists. “I learned that journalism careers expect a professional website for success in the career, so working on and creating one is going to be a focus for my career as I prepare to graduate,” he said.

Online manager Karissa Chittavong said the conference helped her understand the importance of networking and professional development. “The contest was interesting and interactive, almost like a real press interview that you would see on the news,” Chittavong said. “The main takeaway from this event is how crucial it is to network with people in journalism. Everything you do in journalism falls upon meeting people.

Videographer Jate Britton said the fast-paced nature of the contest gave him valuable experience in time management and adaptability. “The live contest was a challenge because of the short turnaround, but helped me prepare for the real world of journalism, where you need to quickly report so information is relevant and timely.” Britton said. “I learned how to quickly write a video script and ensure I have a backup editing software in case one isn’t working correctly.”

The Ranger staff said the convention reinforced the importance of accuracy, networking and professional growth in journalism while offering insight into how media professionals operate in real-world environments.